Poll finds concerns about GE ingredients

Yonkers, N.Y.-Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports, said on March 2 that a new poll conducted by the organization found that two-thirds of organic food consumers are concerned about genetically engineered (GE) ingredients contaminating organic food. Consumers Union accompanied the poll data with a request to USDA that it “consider the overwhelming consumer concern before deciding to allow GE alfalfa on the market.” The appeal came as USDA on March 3 concluded the public comment period on its draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on approval of GE alfalfa. “The EIS states that consumers and organic farmers don’t care if their organic food is GE contaminated,” said Michael Hansen, senior scientist with Consumers Union. “Consumers Union’s poll states the exact opposite: consumers care greatly.” The poll found that a majority of respondents expressed some level of concern with genetic engineering contamination of organic food crops. Overall, 58 percent said they were extremely concerned, very concerned, or somewhat concerned. It also found that 66 percent of consumers who purchase organic food indicated being concerned , versus 50 percent of those who don’t make organic food purchases. The poll consisted of 1,015 interviews done in a telephone survey on Feb. 4-7 of adults aged 18 or over. “Genetically engineered corn and soy are widely grown in the U.S., and organic farmers and processors are having a very hard time keeping it out of organic food and animal feed, where it is prohibited,” Hansen said. “Allowing GE alfalfa on the market will create a whole new set of problems for the organic industry in maintaining organic integrity. Once an engineered variety is grown outside, it is almost impossible to contain it. We are also concerned that there is no FDA safety approval process for GE foods – companies may consult with FDA, but it is up to the companies themselves to decide if an engineered food is safe.”